Flight Diverted to Denver After Passenger Tries to Open Door

A United Airlines jetliner carrying more than 100 people en route to Las Vegas was diverted to Denver Saturday after a passenger tried to open an exterior door on the plane while it was in flight, officials said.

Flight 223 from Washington, D.C., set down at Denver International Airport at 5:10 p.m., and police who met the plane at the gate took the passenger into custody, said airport spokesman Jeff Green. He said police interviewed the male passenger Saturday night.

"There was a disturbance onboard, an unruly passenger," Denver airport police said in a statement. "Due to that disturbance, pilots decided to divert to Denver."

The man had consumed alcohol before and during the flight, said Kathy Wright, an FBI spokeswoman. After questioning, the suspect was sent for a medical evaluation.

Police and United Airlines did not return calls from the Associated Press for further comment.

The flight was carrying 129 passengers as well as five crew members. It continued to Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport where it landed safely shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday.